Depression
Moderator: Fist and Faith
Everybody has an opinion. Ours just happen to differ here. I agree that some people have conditions beyond their control, but most people in the USA today who are suffering from depression have the power to change. They either don't know how or don't want to bad enough.
Never underestimate the power of denial. - Ricky Fitts
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Zarathustra
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This is a delicate subject because certain opinions are going to be offensive . . . even if they're true. I personally think that depression is (largely) self-caused and/or self-correctable, too. This includes panic attacks. If a panic attack is caused by a hormone imbalance, then why would it only happen during stressful times? Like being in a large crowd? Or having an important dinner that you want to go right? Or being hooked up to an uncomfortable, claustrobic machine? Those things don't affect your hormones. It's an emotional reaction to a situation, not to a chemical.
That's just my impression from the anecdotal evidence that has been provided here. I admit that I could be talking out of my ass, and I'm no doctor. I just now asked Ki if Graves Disease can cause panic attacks, and she said it could if it's hyperthyroidism. So apparently there is something to the medical side of this.
However, not eveyrone who is depressed has a thyroid problem. I spent about 2 years being severely depressed when I was 22-24. I took no medication, but I did take positive steps to move my life into a better direction. And I was never depressed again. It's not a coincidence that people get depressed when bad shit happens to them. Bad shit happening outside of you doesn't cause chemical imbalances. And you do have control of your reactions to this bad shit.
While it's wrong to stigmatize people who are depressed when they have real, physical problems causing it, it's also destructive to tell people who don't have a physical problem that they are a victim and need a drug to fix them when they are perfectly capable of fixing themselves. In fact, I think it's much MUCH worse. If I had believed that there was a chemical imbalance in my brain, and started taking a drug to fix it, I would have been on drugs for 14 years and never realized that I needed to change my attitude/behavior. I never would have fixed the problem with me, but instead just drugged myself into denial.
The problem is discovering which kind of depression you have, physically caused or self-caused. Given the fact that doctors still don't understand the physical processes behind this complicate mind/body interaction, I think people err on the side of "I'm a victim" because it's easier, and scientific uncertainty gives them plausible deniability.
Why do chemical imbalances always produce negative results? Why do chemical "imbalances" always lean toward depression, anxiety, etc., when there's no intuitive reason to suppose the "imbalance" could lean the other way? I wonder why our brains never fuck up and make us happy all the time? That's a disease I'd like to have.
That's just my impression from the anecdotal evidence that has been provided here. I admit that I could be talking out of my ass, and I'm no doctor. I just now asked Ki if Graves Disease can cause panic attacks, and she said it could if it's hyperthyroidism. So apparently there is something to the medical side of this.
However, not eveyrone who is depressed has a thyroid problem. I spent about 2 years being severely depressed when I was 22-24. I took no medication, but I did take positive steps to move my life into a better direction. And I was never depressed again. It's not a coincidence that people get depressed when bad shit happens to them. Bad shit happening outside of you doesn't cause chemical imbalances. And you do have control of your reactions to this bad shit.
While it's wrong to stigmatize people who are depressed when they have real, physical problems causing it, it's also destructive to tell people who don't have a physical problem that they are a victim and need a drug to fix them when they are perfectly capable of fixing themselves. In fact, I think it's much MUCH worse. If I had believed that there was a chemical imbalance in my brain, and started taking a drug to fix it, I would have been on drugs for 14 years and never realized that I needed to change my attitude/behavior. I never would have fixed the problem with me, but instead just drugged myself into denial.
The problem is discovering which kind of depression you have, physically caused or self-caused. Given the fact that doctors still don't understand the physical processes behind this complicate mind/body interaction, I think people err on the side of "I'm a victim" because it's easier, and scientific uncertainty gives them plausible deniability.
Why do chemical imbalances always produce negative results? Why do chemical "imbalances" always lean toward depression, anxiety, etc., when there's no intuitive reason to suppose the "imbalance" could lean the other way? I wonder why our brains never fuck up and make us happy all the time? That's a disease I'd like to have.
Success will be my revenge -- DJT
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Holsety
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Isn't it the case that a "self-inflicted" depression can become a chemically reinforced one? I don't have any idea of the frequency of this in the world but I'm pretty sure it happens.Harbinger wrote:Everybody has an opinion. Ours just happen to differ here. I agree that some people have conditions beyond their control, but most people in the USA today who are suffering from depression have the power to change. They either don't know how or don't want to bad enough.
I've never had anything as serious as a panic attack. I don't think I've ever had any serious psychological problems at all? However, I have found that an extended duration of depressive feelings, usually lasting till I lose consciousness (but making it difficult to sleep) seems to occur infrequently in my life. I have only really started paying attention to it as a "phase" I go through recently, but I haven't yet linked this "phase" to a time of particular stress. (instead, it seems to be a time when I proactively look for things to be stressed out about).This includes panic attacks. If a panic attack is caused by a hormone imbalance, then why would it only happen during stressful times? Like being in a large crowd? Or having an important dinner that you want to go right? Or being hooked up to an uncomfortable, claustrobic machine? Those things don't affect your hormones. It's an emotional reaction to a situation, not to a chemical.
I think that it's somewhat difficult to distinguish because stress is, I assume, something our brains experience chemically. That's why it seems potentially callous to say that most people are capable of using cognitive techniques to deal with stress without having a really good idea of how the human brain works.
(I do admit that my experience with people suggests most of us do not require chemical balances ...but, how many of these people do I know all that well?)
Well, have you never heard of bipolar disorder?Why do chemical imbalances always produce negative results? Why do chemical "imbalances" always lean toward depression, anxiety, etc., when there's no intuitive reason to suppose the "imbalance" could lean the other way? I wonder why our brains never fuck up and make us happy all the time? That's a disease I'd like to have.
As for disorders which involve constant elation, I'm also curious, and found this article when thinking about it some time ago. Here's an examination of the possibility of "unipolar mania" if you're extremely curious.
serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1840
A paragraph which gets at your question with an analogy.
It's worth saying that the "happy" state is not necessarily any better than the depressed state for the person's well being. Inhibitions etc are dramatically reduced; instead of being overly hesitant and prone to inaction, you've lost your hesitations and are prone to taking action where you might not otherwise. Oh, and meth causes Erectile disfunction so mania might also.In many ways, my theory of how bouts of mania (or hypomania) are inevitably associated with periods of depression is analogous to what occurs following a drug-induced high. When people expose themselves to exogenous "upper" drugs such as the amphetamine, cocaine, the body undergoes a compensatory response in which receptor down-regulation occurs in an effort to maintain homeostasis. Thus, the body becomes dependent on the drug, and when the body is deprived of the drug, people often experience a major crash with depressive symptoms. This is because the receptor s down-regulated as a result of the exposure to the drug, and now the levels of neurotransmitter, in the absence of the agonistic effects of the drug, are no longer sufficient to maintain a non-depressed mood (16).
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Vraith
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Not all depression is chemical/hormonal/glandular in cause.
Not all cases are permanent either, of course.
Part of the complexity is that to some degree what you think can affect physical/chemical reactions AND physical/chemical reactions can affect what you think...diagnosis is difficult because of this.
Every decent doctor requires you to both take medication, if indicated, and to learn and practice [through therapy/counseling] "coping skills"...notice they don't call them "curing methods"...the point is, if possible, to wean one off the drugs at some point, which is much more likely if the cause is not chemical, and much less likely if it is chemical. [people and doctors do worm their way out of this 2-prong method...they shouldn't].
The other point is, certain cases of depression can be cured, but other cases the best that can be done is to learn to think and fight your way through it. The assumption that people who suffer chronic depression are "weak" or "whiney" or "don't care enough" is flat out wrong. When suicidal thoughts occur multiple times a day for 40 years, but the person is still living, working, attempting to get better or at least get through it "weak" and "whiney" are the antithesis of what they actually are.
And there ARE chemical/hormonal/glandular "illnesses" that have positive effects...but because they're good, we don't call them sick, we call them driven, for example...unless they go too far, then things get bad again.
Stress IS a chemical response, [hell, emotional responses are chemical] so why wouldn't a panic attack happen under stress...and this could happen to almost anyone, and does happen to almost everyone at some point in life, at least once or twice. But for people with anxiety disorders a large part of the problem is that they can and do happen when there is no stress at all. [one reason it's a disorder at all]. And here's another complication for you: sometimes anxiety disorders are caused by depression, sometimes depression is caused by anxiety. [there are a lot of other twisty relations, too].
And "bad shit happening" does cause chemical imbalances...that's why you feel bad to begin with...for the majority of people/situations, they're not permanent, they're part of what people are. OTOH, the actual physical structure and function of the brains of people who were, for example, physically abused show differences that can be seen.
Not all cases are permanent either, of course.
Part of the complexity is that to some degree what you think can affect physical/chemical reactions AND physical/chemical reactions can affect what you think...diagnosis is difficult because of this.
Every decent doctor requires you to both take medication, if indicated, and to learn and practice [through therapy/counseling] "coping skills"...notice they don't call them "curing methods"...the point is, if possible, to wean one off the drugs at some point, which is much more likely if the cause is not chemical, and much less likely if it is chemical. [people and doctors do worm their way out of this 2-prong method...they shouldn't].
The other point is, certain cases of depression can be cured, but other cases the best that can be done is to learn to think and fight your way through it. The assumption that people who suffer chronic depression are "weak" or "whiney" or "don't care enough" is flat out wrong. When suicidal thoughts occur multiple times a day for 40 years, but the person is still living, working, attempting to get better or at least get through it "weak" and "whiney" are the antithesis of what they actually are.
And there ARE chemical/hormonal/glandular "illnesses" that have positive effects...but because they're good, we don't call them sick, we call them driven, for example...unless they go too far, then things get bad again.
Stress IS a chemical response, [hell, emotional responses are chemical] so why wouldn't a panic attack happen under stress...and this could happen to almost anyone, and does happen to almost everyone at some point in life, at least once or twice. But for people with anxiety disorders a large part of the problem is that they can and do happen when there is no stress at all. [one reason it's a disorder at all]. And here's another complication for you: sometimes anxiety disorders are caused by depression, sometimes depression is caused by anxiety. [there are a lot of other twisty relations, too].
And "bad shit happening" does cause chemical imbalances...that's why you feel bad to begin with...for the majority of people/situations, they're not permanent, they're part of what people are. OTOH, the actual physical structure and function of the brains of people who were, for example, physically abused show differences that can be seen.
[spoiler]Sig-man, Libtard, Stupid piece of shit. change your text color to brown. Mr. Reliable, bullshit-slinging liarFucker-user.[/spoiler]
the difference between evidence and sources: whether they come from the horse's mouth or a horse's ass.
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
the hyperbole is a beauty...for we are then allowed to say a little more than the truth...and language is more efficient when it goes beyond reality than when it stops short of it.
the difference between evidence and sources: whether they come from the horse's mouth or a horse's ass.
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
the hyperbole is a beauty...for we are then allowed to say a little more than the truth...and language is more efficient when it goes beyond reality than when it stops short of it.
Depression....it's a sensitive subject for me and one that Zarathustra and I have had our differences about. 
To be entirely too personal, my mother was bipolar (she died about 9 years ago). Her mental illness was debilitating for her and barely controlled even with medication. Having witnessed her torment, and believe me, it's quite traumatic to witness your mother having even one breakdown, and I was privy to three, in which it took numerous medical professionals coming into our home to restrain her and take her away to a mental institution where it was months before we would see her again. I relay this only b/c I know there are severe mental illnesses that are well beyond the control of the individuals that harbor those diseases.
I myself battle depression. Antidepressants didn't work for me. I've been off antidepressants now for almost a year and I actually think I've been happier without them. I've tried counseling. Lately, I've been trying to have a more positive attitude and trying to be more grateful for what I have in my life. I still get down, but I try to remember that it will pass. It's just something that I will have to overcome. I'm not trying to say that this is what everyone should do. I'm not even saying that this is working for me yet.
One thing I am very grateful for is that I don't suffer like my mom did.
To be entirely too personal, my mother was bipolar (she died about 9 years ago). Her mental illness was debilitating for her and barely controlled even with medication. Having witnessed her torment, and believe me, it's quite traumatic to witness your mother having even one breakdown, and I was privy to three, in which it took numerous medical professionals coming into our home to restrain her and take her away to a mental institution where it was months before we would see her again. I relay this only b/c I know there are severe mental illnesses that are well beyond the control of the individuals that harbor those diseases.
I myself battle depression. Antidepressants didn't work for me. I've been off antidepressants now for almost a year and I actually think I've been happier without them. I've tried counseling. Lately, I've been trying to have a more positive attitude and trying to be more grateful for what I have in my life. I still get down, but I try to remember that it will pass. It's just something that I will have to overcome. I'm not trying to say that this is what everyone should do. I'm not even saying that this is working for me yet.
One thing I am very grateful for is that I don't suffer like my mom did.
I come from a family steeped in mental illnesses.....pick your poison. A majority of my family are also artists of one form or another. I think in order to see life through an artists eye, a certain level of madness is inevitable. There is a restlessness that drives intelligent and artistic people to explore.
I think it's all about accepting and even embracing your difference. My mother was a painter and sculptor. She was also an artistic genius. But her inability to accept her darker side, her constant internal battle to be 'normal' drove her further and further to the edge. She could never meet her own expectations. Three years ago she committed suicide, driven beyond her ability to cope with her perceived failures.
I suffer from ongoing chronic mood disorders. I have been hospitalized several times, medications never worked and I finally stopped using them. What seems to work for me is an ongoing discussion and acknowledgement of my 'illness'. I see a therapist weekly. He helps me confront behavior that sends me into a tailspin before it gets out of control. I verbalize my moods, try never to internalize them to the point that I cannot reach out for help.
I refuse to let my depressions paralyze me anymore as they did my mother. But I do admit I fight all her battles. Like Zarathustra said or at least I think he implied, we make our own decisions. We all suffer from some level of mental health challenges, we have to decide to be better or we decide not to be.
I would say, in fact, that I have reached a point in my life where I embrace my darker side (just call me Darth
). I do worry that my depressions and self destructive tendencies have destroyed my creative process but time will tell.
I think it's all about accepting and even embracing your difference. My mother was a painter and sculptor. She was also an artistic genius. But her inability to accept her darker side, her constant internal battle to be 'normal' drove her further and further to the edge. She could never meet her own expectations. Three years ago she committed suicide, driven beyond her ability to cope with her perceived failures.
I suffer from ongoing chronic mood disorders. I have been hospitalized several times, medications never worked and I finally stopped using them. What seems to work for me is an ongoing discussion and acknowledgement of my 'illness'. I see a therapist weekly. He helps me confront behavior that sends me into a tailspin before it gets out of control. I verbalize my moods, try never to internalize them to the point that I cannot reach out for help.
I refuse to let my depressions paralyze me anymore as they did my mother. But I do admit I fight all her battles. Like Zarathustra said or at least I think he implied, we make our own decisions. We all suffer from some level of mental health challenges, we have to decide to be better or we decide not to be.
I would say, in fact, that I have reached a point in my life where I embrace my darker side (just call me Darth
). I do worry that my depressions and self destructive tendencies have destroyed my creative process but time will tell.The loudest truth I ever heard was the softest sound.
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Cagliostro
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I think we all have stories, don't we?
I suffered from depression early on in my life too. Jr. High was the worst of it, and I've only realized within the past several years that it may have been my reaction to my parents divorce around the same time. I have serious spotty memories around that time in my life that I'm now just starting to piece all together. And it's funny because my mom has such a bad memory of our childhood because she was not very happy being in a marriage she didn't want to be in. Funny what the mind does with pain.
I also wore these birth control glasses at the time, so women were not interested in me during this time of my life, and it got me down and make me very self-conscious, which I had never been in my life prior. I was always the "cute boy" that always had a girlfriend, and was interested in girls right away. So once I hit jr. high school and the hormones started kicking in, and all the weird emotional changes, I ended up pretty depressed. And I loved my depression - it was warm and it was mine. Pink Floyd's The Wall was my soundtrack. And as I started getting used to it around mid/late high school, my sister helped me pick a new wardrobe and I got contact lenses and my life started to change again.
Because of this time away from ladies, I had the stupid idea that I had to be the best boyfriend in the world, and would not give in to what I should have been doing at the time - exploring and having fun. So I would try and stifle this desire and be the good guy who would occasionally slip up and end up in a car with somebody I fancied (and who fancied me) trying not to kiss each other. And I'd feel horrible about it later. I would get these very black moods that I would feel kinda out of my own control. I did a few stupid things, and some of it was based off the idea that I needed to be a good guy, whereas I was just a guy. Some of my friends at the time also were in the same boat, and while I have lost touch with one of them, I have seen another of my friends struggle with this same thing.
I've since learned all this, and have forgiven myself, which I think I finally realized was most of my battle - the need to be a paragon of virtue. I still do it quite a bit, and I'm glad I can put it in perspective now and not torture myself for occasionally being selfish. But it keeps me mostly good, but it also allows me to realize that I am flawed and keeps me from acting out in especially destructive way. And my depression is pretty well under control.
If I was to become a pop psychologist, I would base most of my theories on not suppressing every "negative" instinct, as it acts like s'mores filling when you push the graham crackers too close together - it spills out over the side and ends up causing worse messes than if you were not to suppress these instincts. Mmmmmm...now I'm hungry.
As for suicide, yeah, I've seriously considered it several times, but I think I always looked at how much more I'd have to lose before I'd do it, and that usually keeps those thoughts away for a bit. I guess it is a form of counting your blessings, but I always looked at it as, "you can always lose a little more." And compared with a lot of people, I've had a very good life, so I'm finding it harder and harder to complain about that. But I must admit, Covenant came along in Jr. High and some of the moments in there kept me from making the ultimate mistake and letting despair have its victory.
I suffered from depression early on in my life too. Jr. High was the worst of it, and I've only realized within the past several years that it may have been my reaction to my parents divorce around the same time. I have serious spotty memories around that time in my life that I'm now just starting to piece all together. And it's funny because my mom has such a bad memory of our childhood because she was not very happy being in a marriage she didn't want to be in. Funny what the mind does with pain.
I also wore these birth control glasses at the time, so women were not interested in me during this time of my life, and it got me down and make me very self-conscious, which I had never been in my life prior. I was always the "cute boy" that always had a girlfriend, and was interested in girls right away. So once I hit jr. high school and the hormones started kicking in, and all the weird emotional changes, I ended up pretty depressed. And I loved my depression - it was warm and it was mine. Pink Floyd's The Wall was my soundtrack. And as I started getting used to it around mid/late high school, my sister helped me pick a new wardrobe and I got contact lenses and my life started to change again.
Because of this time away from ladies, I had the stupid idea that I had to be the best boyfriend in the world, and would not give in to what I should have been doing at the time - exploring and having fun. So I would try and stifle this desire and be the good guy who would occasionally slip up and end up in a car with somebody I fancied (and who fancied me) trying not to kiss each other. And I'd feel horrible about it later. I would get these very black moods that I would feel kinda out of my own control. I did a few stupid things, and some of it was based off the idea that I needed to be a good guy, whereas I was just a guy. Some of my friends at the time also were in the same boat, and while I have lost touch with one of them, I have seen another of my friends struggle with this same thing.
I've since learned all this, and have forgiven myself, which I think I finally realized was most of my battle - the need to be a paragon of virtue. I still do it quite a bit, and I'm glad I can put it in perspective now and not torture myself for occasionally being selfish. But it keeps me mostly good, but it also allows me to realize that I am flawed and keeps me from acting out in especially destructive way. And my depression is pretty well under control.
If I was to become a pop psychologist, I would base most of my theories on not suppressing every "negative" instinct, as it acts like s'mores filling when you push the graham crackers too close together - it spills out over the side and ends up causing worse messes than if you were not to suppress these instincts. Mmmmmm...now I'm hungry.
As for suicide, yeah, I've seriously considered it several times, but I think I always looked at how much more I'd have to lose before I'd do it, and that usually keeps those thoughts away for a bit. I guess it is a form of counting your blessings, but I always looked at it as, "you can always lose a little more." And compared with a lot of people, I've had a very good life, so I'm finding it harder and harder to complain about that. But I must admit, Covenant came along in Jr. High and some of the moments in there kept me from making the ultimate mistake and letting despair have its victory.
Life is a waste of time
Time is a waste of life
So get wasted all of the time
And you'll have the time of your life
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Worm of Despite
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Depression/anxiety are a human emotion, just like happiness. I think half the problem is people think they can fully suppress such emotions and lead perfect lives, and that's when depression comes calling.
I also think fantasy fans rarely lead healthy lives, and if they exercised a lot more or found things besides dark rooms and fantasy books or computer monitors to preoccupy their emotions, they'd feel a lot more whole.
Challenges are a way of character-building. You're completely in control of your destiny. Use the negative stuff to your advantage, like writing a nuclear holocaust novel (ahem). I wouldn't trade even the worst days for anything, and I'm glad to know, in the future, I'll have days so bad I won't believe--cause I'll rise over it all. I'll be stronger every day, improve every day; nothing is ever taking me down. Ever.
"You have to sleep late when you can
And all your bad days will end"
Or as George Harrison put it: All Things Must Pass!
I also think fantasy fans rarely lead healthy lives, and if they exercised a lot more or found things besides dark rooms and fantasy books or computer monitors to preoccupy their emotions, they'd feel a lot more whole.
Challenges are a way of character-building. You're completely in control of your destiny. Use the negative stuff to your advantage, like writing a nuclear holocaust novel (ahem). I wouldn't trade even the worst days for anything, and I'm glad to know, in the future, I'll have days so bad I won't believe--cause I'll rise over it all. I'll be stronger every day, improve every day; nothing is ever taking me down. Ever.
"You have to sleep late when you can
And all your bad days will end"
Or as George Harrison put it: All Things Must Pass!
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SoulBiter
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I never had any dealings with depression until about 5 years or so ago. And Im going to tell you it scared the living crap out of me! Before then I would have told you that I didnt understand how people could be depressed. The scariest thing for me was the time when I actually caught myself thinking that maybe I just shouldnt be here. As soon as that thought went through my head a thousand red flags went up internally.
What worked for me was to get more exercise. I re-activated my gymn membership, started running, taking walks, etc etc. I also found things to do to keep my mind off of myself. And most importantly, I worked on getting a better nights sleep. I wasnt sleeping very well during that time and just was tired as all get out ALL the time.
Exercise is something I recommend to anyone who has depression issues. It releases endorphins and also helps you get that good nights sleep and it helps to bleed off some nervous energy and anxiety.
What worked for me was to get more exercise. I re-activated my gymn membership, started running, taking walks, etc etc. I also found things to do to keep my mind off of myself. And most importantly, I worked on getting a better nights sleep. I wasnt sleeping very well during that time and just was tired as all get out ALL the time.
Exercise is something I recommend to anyone who has depression issues. It releases endorphins and also helps you get that good nights sleep and it helps to bleed off some nervous energy and anxiety.
We miss you Tracie but your Spirit will always shine brightly on the Watch 
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Worm of Despite
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Vraith
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Now this is sensible. It is truly amazing how much good exercise can help...if you can just get yourself to do it. And it's not just the endorphins, it takes a pretty vigorous or long session to really get them pumping, and they don't seem to hang around long...I've heard theories that they start a chain, or cascade of other things, but all the research I've seen says only 'this has potential for further study.'Lord Foul wrote:Yeah. Exercise for the win. Break out of the skinny/fat fantasy geek mold. Be a buff fantasy geek. Come on.
I'd put pictures up of my physique, but this website would start to look like Craig's List.
On the other point: I don't go to Craig's list...is that a joke? Or are you really that buff...just curious...
[spoiler]Sig-man, Libtard, Stupid piece of shit. change your text color to brown. Mr. Reliable, bullshit-slinging liarFucker-user.[/spoiler]
the difference between evidence and sources: whether they come from the horse's mouth or a horse's ass.
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
the hyperbole is a beauty...for we are then allowed to say a little more than the truth...and language is more efficient when it goes beyond reality than when it stops short of it.
the difference between evidence and sources: whether they come from the horse's mouth or a horse's ass.
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
the hyperbole is a beauty...for we are then allowed to say a little more than the truth...and language is more efficient when it goes beyond reality than when it stops short of it.
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Worm of Despite
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Yeah. Craigslist (a networking site for just about anything) is kinda notorious for its "sex personals", which feature some not-so-tasteful photographs.Vraith wrote:On the other point: I don't go to Craig's list...is that a joke? Or are you really that buff...just curious...
As for me; I'm pretty frickin' built. 200 pounds even, very big shoulder muscles, chest, trim waist... My legs are frickin' awesome. Some chicks a while back saw me jogging and yelled from the car, "You got some hot legs!"
I can max about 265 on bench.My current book features a character who's an Achilles-type, so I figure I should be in his shape to accurately write with the power and clarity he uses to fight. Plus, lots of exercise gives one an aggressive quality, which I certainly want for this book.
And--when one is in this condition (or even just slim from jogging), one is quite clear-headed and energized. I certainly don't think I'd have written my first novel or done so well in college, had I not felt such "inner-warmth" from getting in shape after years of being sedentary.
If anyone here is depressed, just remember you're in a highly developed society (should be, to be using Internet), and have every tool to turn your life around. Exercise or even variation in life is a very, very rare luxury. Just think of the 1 billion or so people who aren't adequately hydrated or nourished every day, or the mere fact that life itself (especially intelligent life in this universe) is that 1% out of the hundreds of billions of galaxies. We're lucky beyond the word "luck". We are "air turning into gold".
Will you share a little of that self confidence with me?As for me; I'm pretty frickin' built. 200 pounds even, very big shoulder muscles, chest, trim waist... My legs are frickin' awesome. Some chicks a while back saw me jogging and yelled from the car, "You got some hot legs!"
I really could use it. Or maybe just loan it to me for a few weeks.The loudest truth I ever heard was the softest sound.
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Ha ha ha... That's not confidence--just enjoying the results of my work.lorin wrote:Will you share a little of that self confidence with me?As for me; I'm pretty frickin' built. 200 pounds even, very big shoulder muscles, chest, trim waist... My legs are frickin' awesome. Some chicks a while back saw me jogging and yelled from the car, "You got some hot legs!"
Confidence is something you should try to improve on every day. I think it begins with sociability and nothing to do with exercise or lifting weights. Meeting people, learning to better handle yourself, feels your "inner self" more sensitively, etc. As Epictetus said (and I paraphrase): "preserving your character in every situation."It's nothing to do with exercise, though exercise is a great boost to understanding yourself. You're still the old you after you exercise--just with an exclamation mark beside your name (like "Lorin!", see?).